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Homemade Skinny Cajun Chicken Pasta photo

Skinny Cajun Chicken Pasta

A lighter Cajun-style creamy pasta with chicken, andouille sausage, bell peppers, and a milk-based sauce thickened with a starch slurry.
Prep Time20 minutes
Cook Time20 minutes
Total Time40 minutes
Servings: 8 servings

Ingredients

Ingredients

  • 16 ozwhole wheat penne pastacooked
  • 2 teaspoonsolive oil
  • 1/2 cupyellow onionfinely chopped
  • 1/4 cupred bell pepperfinely chopped
  • l1/4 cup green bell pepperfinely chopped
  • 3 garlic clovespeeled and minced
  • 1 cupchicken andouille sausageor regular andouille cut into 1" cubes
  • 1 Tablespooncajun seasoning
  • 2 cupsshredded cooked chicken or shredded rotisserie chicken
  • 1 1/2 cupsskim milk
  • 1/2 cupshredded lowfat parmesan cheese
  • 1 Tablespooncornstarcharrowroot or tapioca starch
  • 1/4 cupchicken broth

Instructions

Instructions

  • Prepare the pasta according to package directions, drain, and set aside.
  • Heat 2 teaspoons olive oil in a large, deep skillet or soup pot over medium-high heat.
  • Add 1/2 cup finely chopped yellow onion and 1/4 cup each finely chopped red and green bell pepper; sauté until the vegetables are softened, about 3–4 minutes.
  • Add 3 minced garlic cloves and cook, stirring, until fragrant, about 30–60 seconds (take care not to burn the garlic).
  • Add 1 cup chicken andouille sausage (or regular andouille), cut into 1" cubes, and sauté until heated through and lightly browned, about 4–5 minutes, stirring occasionally.
  • Stir in 1 Tablespoon Cajun seasoning and 2 cups shredded cooked chicken; cook, stirring, until the shredded chicken is heated through, about 2–3 minutes.
  • Add the cooked penne and stir to combine.
  • Slowly pour in 1 1/2 cups skim milk while stirring, bring the mixture to a gentle simmer, and cook uncovered for about 5 minutes.
  • In a small bowl, whisk 1 Tablespoon cornstarch (or arrowroot or tapioca starch) with 1/4 cup chicken broth until completely smooth. Pour this slurry into the simmering pot while stirring constantly and continue to simmer until the sauce thickens, about 1–2 minutes.
  • Remove from heat, add 1/2 cup shredded lowfat Parmesan cheese, and stir until the cheese melts and the sauce is smooth. Serve immediately.